Power Factor Correction Calculator
Calculate the capacitor bank size needed to improve power factor to a target value, reducing reactive power charges.
kW
Required Capacitor Bank
55.3 kVAR
Current Reactive Power88.2 kVAR
New Reactive Power32.9 kVAR
Apparent Power Reduction28.1 kVA
Required Capacitor Bank vs Real Power
Power Factor Correction
Low power factor means the utility must deliver more current (and apparent power) than the load actually uses. Capacitor banks supply reactive power locally.
Formula
kVAR needed = kW x (tan(arccos(PF_current)) - tan(arccos(PF_target)))
Benefits
Most utilities penalize power factors below 0.90. Correcting to 0.95 is a common economic target.
Example Calculation
100 kW load at PF 0.75, correcting to PF 0.95.
- 01Current angle: arccos(0.75) = 41.41 degrees, tan = 0.8819
- 02Target angle: arccos(0.95) = 18.19 degrees, tan = 0.3287
- 03kVAR needed: 100 x (0.8819 - 0.3287) = 55.3 kVAR
- 04kVA reduction: 100/0.75 - 100/0.95 = 133.3 - 105.3 = 28.1 kVA
Frequently Asked Questions
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